@contentandwell - WOW! You are getting up more than I do! I'm usually up every 2 hours and much of that is due to the medicine. I take 3 pills in the morning and one 8 hours later vs. at dinner time so the idea is that time frame will help me sleep better. But, I still drink a lot (habit and thirsty) so I'm still up every 2 hours. I think the interrupted sleep really impacts my energy level during the day. Do you feel that way? It's a good day if I don't take a 30 minute to 1 hour nap. The past month I forgot my afternoon meds twice and those evenings I slept so much more soundly and woke up every 3 or 4 hours which made such a big difference. Because my sleep is interrupted I find I need to sleep longer which, during the school year, is not possible so that leads to more naps. In the summer I sleep longer so I seem to not nap as much. I'm not sure how you are functioning during the day. I'll stop feeling sorry for myself now.

@contentandwell - Well I have never been an alcohol drinker because I have known about my kidney disease since I was 20 so I have intentionally avoided it. But I will say that even drinking water versus pop can save a lot of money. I prefer a Coke but I'm to avoid caffeine (bad for PKD) and water is more thirst quenching. I did not know lobster is high in sodium, not that it is something one orders in Indiana. Is it high in sodium because of the way it is prepared or because lobsters live in salt water? I certainly do partake when I visit family on the east coast because I love it! Incidentally, yesterday at Rochester Mayo there was a street festival (First on Thursday) and I had a nice break walking the streets, perusing local artists (I bought a neat pair of earrings) and had a lobster roll. It wasn't like one from the coast but it was darn good considering I was in Minnesota! I continue to be amazed at the quality of restaurants in Rochester for being in the middle of nowhere. It's a happening city!

@hopeful33250 - we are almost neighbors!

@lcamino How great! I did not know that. I'm in a northwest suburb of Detroit!

@lcamino I'm glad to hear you say that about Rochester, MN. I was there in May with my daughter for meetings. We were so impressed with the city. The restaurants and shopping were great. When we were coming from the airport to the hotel the driver was saying that the airport is going to increase their flights into Rochester later this year to accommodate all of Mayo's patients. That certainly says something about the clinic. Teresa

@rosemarya, @hopeful33250, @contentandwell, @colleenyoung, @2011panc, and anyone I've missed. This is a prime example why I turn to the Mayo website with medical questions. Clear, concise, and thorough and if I still have questions I go to my doctor/s since they know my situation. Many times my question is answered and I am calmed and sometimes it gives me good questions for my doctor/s.

@hopeful22350 - I have really noticed, even though I drink a lot, that when on my study medicine I have to drink a lot BEFORE I exercise, WHILE I exercise (especially when biking outside), and afterwards (watermelon is my favorite after a bike ride). Even if it is cool (65 degrees in early morning and I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt) I seem to fizzle exercising outside and if I don't push the fluids, even when I don't feel thirsty. I've been told that if you can't urinate after a bike ride than you didn't drink enough. That is not applicable to me now with the med I take so I use the second "measurement" which is that urine should be colorless to light yellow as a indicator of being properly hydrated. I guess what I'm saying is that there are several ways to ensure that you are well hydrated and to be extra vigilant when exercising outside, especially in the sun and heat.

Sorry but kidney health is all about blood tests and urine tests so it's what I know.

@2011panc - Yes, it made me laugh! I would have answered the same way you did.

@hopeful33250 - I heard that about the increased flights too but I have yet to see any change. In fact, American (only American and United fly into Rochester) has cut out a flight (7pm evening flight to Chicago). That means when I need to see the doctor, not just the study co-ordinator, I must spend the night which is costly (hotel and dog care - or my hubby works from home if possible),plus I'm not there for my teenage daughter after school. Mayo is FANTASTIC for letting me choose my appointment times (literally) based on my flights so I can get in and out in a day. It is tight but I have a system worked out as long as the airlines are not delayed (which has not happened in the last 6 trips!). Thankfully I have been flying enough, and have an American Airlines credit card, so when I missed my connection in Chicago yesterday (learned I can run down a jet bridge and past a few gates, and that it really hurts my kidneys) they automatically rebooked me on the later flight. It was rather frustrating because I could see the plane at the gate for 10 minutes but the jet bridge had been pulled away from the plane and they would not let me board.

@lcamino Wow, it sounds like you really have a system worked out. I was pleased not to have any flight delays as well. I'm sorry to hear that the extra flights have not been added yet. Sounds like it is needed. Teresa